5 one-hit wonders for the Cleveland Browns since 1999
By Greg Newland
NFL teams are built on consistency and development; however, there are still one-hit wonders like these 5 who shined for the Cleveland Browns for one year
The Cleveland Browns have attempted to build their roster with young talent that will be around for years. However, with a salary cap and free agency, at times it is difficult to retain players. Unfortunately, the Browns have had little consistency on their roster and Tim Couch still holds the longest tenure at quarterback, starting five seasons since 1999.
The most successful teams in the NFL are typically full of tenured players, and most include a long-term quarterback. While Baker Mayfield appears to be the “next guy” in Cleveland, after a sluggish 2019 there are still questions if he will make it past year three as the starter.
By far the most successful Brown since the return in 1999 is Joe Thomas. In 11 seasons, all with the Browns, Thomas was a 10-time pro-bowler and six-time all-pro left tackle. The next best players with some length of tenure would be center Alex Mack and defensive back Joe Haden. Both would earn pro-bowl honors with the Browns, but neither were apart of a winning season in Cleveland.
Is that tide finally changing? It appears the Browns are headed in the right direction with young, talented players who have performed early in their careers. There’s hope Mayfield, Myles Garrett, and Mack Wilson are all players who can have a 10 plus year career with the Browns. With the longevity of players, winning usually follows soon after.
Now, the Browns may not have had a ton of long-term success, but they have still had a few “one-hit wonder” guys who just killed it for one season before disappearing. Some would have limited success after, but others would fall off the map immediately.
Keep reading for the top five one-hit-wonder seasons in Cleveland since 1999. Keep in mind running backs Jerome Harrison and Jamal Lewis as well as defensive back Anthony Henry was the first three players left off the list.